I have accepted that being autistic is a part of who I am, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it or enjoy it. I don't want to be sensitive to certain stimuli. I don't want to have to make sure the toothpaste I use is the right texture. I want to eat mashed potatoes without gagging.

All of these things are tied to being autistic. And they are all things that will always be a struggle for me. No amount of society changing to meet my needs will change that. Just like how no amount of making society more accessible for paraplegics will let them walk again.

as someone with lots of food texture related eating issues: please know that there are zero foods or food preparations you are required to eat. if you dont like or cant eat mashed potatoes, then dont eat them. We dont need to “fix” a neurotype to accommodate this.